Happy New Year!

As the dust settles on 2025, we are looking forward to what promises to be a pivotal year for electronic dance music. From the return of legendary sounds to massive shifts in how we experience festivals, the industry is gearing up for a shake-up this coming year. Here are our top 10 predictions for what the EDM world has in store for 2026.

01. Tiesto’s return to Trance leads to a full world tour

Tiesto‘s long-awaited return to trance received high remarks, especially as it’s been almost two decades since he commanded the stage with an all-trance mix. We first saw a glimpse of this return in May when he performed at EDC Las Vegas for a special ‘In Search of Sunrise‘ set. Then again this past November at Dreamstate SoCal. We are predicting that this momentum will lead to a full-blown world tour in 2026, where Tiesto premieres his signature trance sound once again to a new generation.

02. Hardwell makes his long-awaited return to EDC Las Vegas

After Hardwell’s special announcement that he is performing at EDC Mexico in 2026, we are guessing he will make a triumphant return to EDC Las Vegas as well. Insomniac Events typically books artists to show up on multiple lineups throughout the season. This could mean a return to the Speedway very soon. The mainstage feels empty without him and 2026 seems like the year he reclaims the throne.

03. Amelie Lens & Sara Landry close out the Ultra Mainstage

Techno has officially hit the mainstream. These powerful women have made huge milestones in the past couple of years, and I doubt they plan to stop anytime soon. Giving them the closing slot would be a historic move for Ultra Miami, but the crowds are ready for it. I’m sure they have a few good tricks up their sleeves for this debut back-to-back.

04. Celebrities becoming DJs

Lately, we have seen some mainstream artists making their way into the EDM scene. T-Pain, Rebecca Black, and Shaquille O’Neal (DJ Diesel) have all made their way into the community. Some have been welcomed with open arms, while others are viewed with skepticism. As time goes on, we are seeing more celebrities moving into the spotlight of dance music. In 2026, don’t be surprised if we see even more actors or pop stars trying to control the decks.

05. Drum and Bass finally conquers the Mainstage in the US

For years, Drum and Bass has been dominating Europe while remaining a “side stage” genre in the states. That ends in 2026. Following the massive success of the Worship tours and Hedex‘s rise, we predict a major US festival (we’re looking at you Ultra) will finally book a DnB act for a mainstage slot. The energy is undeniable, and American crowds are finally catching up to the speed.

06. Tomorrowland Thailand becomes the destination festival of the year

With recent rumors circulating regarding the new edition of Tomorrowland, we are almost certain that Thailand will be THE travel destination for all ravers in 2026. This will almost certainly become the “must-attend” event of the year, potentially even overshadowing the original festival in Belgium due to the novelty factor. We fully expect a blend of top-tier production, a diverse lineup, and regional themes that will add a whole new chapter to the story of Tomorrowland.

07. Artist-curated festivals start to outsell the traditional massive festivals

Excision, John Summit, and Griz all host their own successful festivals now. This leaves a huge ultimatum for fans who choose to attend only one or two events a year. The heavy hitters like EDC or Ultra might be left out of the picture because they can’t always guarantee a specific vibe the way a curated event can. This shift toward “boutique” but massive artist-led events could make or break the EDM scene in the upcoming years.

08. Skrillex is everywhere (and Jack Ü returns?)

We predict 2026 will be the year of Skrillex. After the huge success of his recent albums, we anticipate a full-on tour with performances spread out across multiple festivals. He is already a confirmed headliner for Lollapalooza Argentina, and many are speculating he might return to Ultra Miami. But the biggest rumor? A Jack Ü reunion. It’s been long overdue and with Diplo and Sonny both active, 2026 feels like the perfect time to break the internet again.

09. The Return of the Golden Era

Nostalgia runs in cycles, and we are right on time for a revival of the 2014 golden era. We predict a wave of producers will be releasing tracks that mimic the high-energy Big Room House and melodic Progressive House of the glory days. As techno gets darker, a large portion of the crowd is craving those “hands in the air” euphoric moments again.

10. The “No Phone” policy reaches Festivals

As fan fatigue grows over crowds of recording screens, the “be in the moment” movement will go from niche to a premium mainstage feature. We’ve seen it before with Lane 8’s “This Never Happened” concept. We predict a major festival will designate a specific stage or a major headliner slot as a strict “No Phone Zone” in 2026. This will likely be enforced with locking pouches or strict security for select sets to bring the vibe back to the music.

While our predictions might not be perfect, the excitement in the air is undeniable as the industry bridges the gap between its legendary roots and its high-tech future. So, dust off your rave boots, secure those presale tickets, and prepare for a year that promises to redefine the boundaries of electronic music. We’ll be watching closely to see which of these rumors become reality—see you on the dancefloor!